Thu 7/23 @ 4-9PM

Fri 7/24 @ 4-11PM

Sat 7/25 @ noon-11PM

Sun 7/26 @ noon-7PM

There are quite a few Greek festivals around town, but few match the one at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland Heights.

For four days you can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Hellenic culture, traditions and history, starting of course with the copious amount of food available, prepared by parishioners. There’s souvlaki, dolmades, gyros, moussaka, spanakopita, pastitsio — we could go on and on — and many ways to enjoy them, from fine dining in the Cathedral Center to more casual dining outside. And there’s a massive pastries list — 19 in all, including chocolate baklava, which we’d like to try. (After all that food, you’ll probably want to take these home; they’re happy to box them up for you.)

There are also specialty cocktails with Grecian themes at the Odyssesy Bar and Zeus’ juices inspired by the Greek Isles. Is ouzo available? Of course. Just don’t try drinking 10 or 12 of them in a couple of hours like a friend of mine did at the Agora once.

There’s plenty in addition of eating and drinking. There’s live Greek music, Hellenic dancers, church tours, cooking demonstrations — those parishioners are happy to share their secrets so you can enjoy this food at home — and vendors with Grecian jewelry and other cultural items for sale. And there’s a vesper service at 5pm Saturday.  New this year is the Kids Zone. Not happening is the flea market — they’re going to do that in September so be sure to ask the dates.

Admission is free; and there’s a free shuttle from Severance Center.

stsconstantine.com/greekfestival